The cold weather shelter at Caledonia Park is proving a daytime warming space for those experiencing homelessness, and will now be open every day for the month of March. (submitted photo/Justice Chalifoux)

By Jordan Davidson

space for winter

Caledonia emergency warming shelter set to be converted to daily drop-in space

Feb 16, 2022 | 4:43 PM

NANAIMO — Individuals without a home are poised to have another place to go when seeking shelter and get warmth.

The City of Nanaimo unanimously passed a motion during their Wednesday, Feb. 16 finance and audit committee meeting to convert the emergency warming shelter at Caledonia Park near Bowen Park to a daily drop-in space for the rest of winter.

Dale Lindsay, general manager of development services, told councillors finding a place to go during the colder weather has been an increasing issue for years, with local non-profits identifying skyrocketing demand.

“Our partners out there providing services identified one of the biggest challenges is finding appropriate space. A dedicated building and an appropriate space in order to provide the service remains one of the largest barriers.”

The discussion followed direction in early February on the creation of a Systems Planning Organization (SPO) to find a way for local non-profits to work together to support vulnerable populations and help reduce homelessness.

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However, the SPO won’t be ready until later this year, so the committee was looking for a more immediate response.

Coun. Erin Hemmens said she’s worried they are putting a lot of hope into thinking the SPO will find definite solutions when situations like lack of space or resources come up again in the future.

“It’s a collaboration process, it’s going to be bumpy. It’s going to hopefully get us really good data and really good coordination, but I can’t imagine when this happens next year and the year after, because we have an SPO it will easily be resolved. We are going to continue wrestling with these questions for a long time.”

The emergency warming shelter at Caledonia Park is operated by the Nanaimo 7-10 Club and was previously open on a cold weather day, when the temperature dips below minus two.

With the conversion to a daily drop-in shelter, they will now be able to remain open every day for the remainder of the winter season.

The increase in service will cost $15,000, on top of the $15,000 already allocated in the budget of which $5,200 remains. Council will be asked to approve the increase at their Feb. 28 meeting.

Should the financial aspects of the deal pass Council, the 7-10 Club would begin their increased hours the following day, on March 1.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow